ES2710351T3 - Wiper arm with swiveling cover that allows access to the head and a pivot shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

A wiper arm assembly (24) that is adapted to support a wiper blade (26) as it moves across a surface (20) to be cleaned, said wiper arm assembly (24) comprising: - a body Arm (32) and a head (36) supported by said arm body (32) and adapted to be mounted on a pivot shaft (34) that defines a pivot axis (P) and drives the wiper blade (26) in an oscillating manner across the surface (20) to be cleaned, said arm body (32) including an opening (38) providing access to said head (36) mounted on the pivot shaft (34); and - a cover (40) mounted on said arm body (32) in said opening (38) and movable from a first position closing said opening (38) to a second position allowing access to said head (36), characterized in that said cover (40) is movable around an axis (A) substantially parallel to the pivot axis (P).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Wiper arm with swiveling cover that allows access to the head and to a pivot shaft

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates, in general, to wiper assemblies and, more specifically, to a wiper arm assembly that is adapted to support a wiper blade as it moves across a surface to be cleaned and that has a cover rotating that allows access to the head and the pivot shaft.

2. Description of the related technique

FR 2 774 050 A1 discloses a windshield wiper arm assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. The conventional wiper assemblies known in the related art include some type of wiper assembly mounted on an arm which, in turn, it is mounted adjacent to a surface to be cleaned, such as a windshield. The windshield wiper arm is pivoted to impart a reciprocating movement to the wiper blade assembly through the windshield. A rubber cleaning element is supported by the brush assembly and makes contact with the windshield through the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning brush is commonly of the "tournament" or "beam" type. Both types of windshield wiper assemblies commonly known in the related art typically incorporate one or more metal strips that act to strengthen the wiper element and facilitate contact with the element through what is typically a curved glass surface. In this context, the windshield wiper arm exerts a downward force on the set of leaves that is distributed through them, pressing the set of sheets in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

The wiper arm is typically driven by an electric motor through a pivot shaft. The arm is mounted on the tree through a head. Some arms include an opening that allows access to the head on the pivot shaft to facilitate assembly of the arm. A removable cover is often used to close the opening when it is not necessary to access the connection between the head and the pivot shaft.

While designs for such systems known in the related art have generally worked for the intended purposes, some deficiencies still exist. Many covers known in the related art also have a gap between the head cover and the arm body. Therefore, arms having covers of the type generally known in the related art may be prone to allow water, snow or ice to enter the opening, even when closed. This can be detrimental to the function of the arm. In addition, covers of these types are also susceptible to hooking with brushes or panos, typically used in car washes, and can be inadvertently removed from the arm and, therefore, lost during this process. These problems are not limited to, but are especially frequent in relation to the windshield wiper systems used to clean the rear window of a vehicle.

Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a wiper arm assembly that employs a head cover that provides efficient and effective access to the head and pivot shaft, but which is not susceptible to water intrusion. , snow, or ice and that can not be disassembled or removed unintentionally during the car wash process and other interferences with the windshield wiper arm.

Summary of the invention

The present invention overcomes many limitations and disadvantages of the related art in a wiper arm assembly that is adapted to support a cleaning wiper blade as it moves through a surface to be cleaned. The wiper arm assembly includes a body and a head supported by the body and adapted to be mounted on a pivot shaft defining a pivot shaft and operating the cleaning brush oscillatingly across the surface to be cleaned. The body also includes an opening that provides access to the head mounted on the pivot shaft. A cover is mounted on the body in the opening and can be moved about an axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis from a first position, closing the opening to a second position allowing access to the head.

In this way, the wiper arm assembly of the present invention employs a head cover that efficiently and effectively provides access to the head and pivot shaft, but which is not susceptible to water intrusion, snow or ice and that is not easily dislodged or inadvertently removed during the car wash process and other interferences with the wiper arm.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated when it is better understood after reading the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a representation of a rear part of a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wiper arm assembly of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the wiper arm assembly of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of one end of the wiper arm assembly of the present invention showing the head cover disposed between its open and closed positions;

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of one end of the wiper arm assembly of the present invention illustrating the head cover in its fully open position;

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the inner cavity of one end of the wiper arm of the present invention illustrating the head cover disposed in the closed position; Y

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the interior cavity of one end of the wiper arm illustrating the head cover rotating between its open and closed position.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment (s)

Referring now to the figures, where similar numbers are used to designate a similar structure, a portion of a vehicle is schematically illustrated at 10 in Figure 1. More specifically, the portion of the vehicle that has been employed to illustrate the present invention includes a generic illustration of the back of a vehicle. Therefore, the vent includes a roof 12, a pair of pillars 14 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1), a lift door 16, and the rear part of the vent 18. A rear glass window 20 extends between the pillars 14 in the lift gate 16. While the rear portion of the aforementioned vehicle employs a liftgate 16, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the description that the vehicle could include a tailgate or any other commonly known configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A wiper system is generally indicated at 22 in Figure 1 and in the embodiment illustrated here, it is used to clean the rear glass window 20. The wiper system 22 includes a wiper arm assembly, generally indicated at 24, and a wiper blade, generally indicated at 26, (hereinafter referred to as "wiper"). In the illustrated embodiment here, the wiper arm assembly 24 is operatively mounted on the liftgate 16 and is movable in an oscillating manner to move the brush 26 through the rear window 20. The brush 26 releasably engages the wiper arm assembly through a coupling assembly, generally indicated at 28, operatively interconnecting the wiper blade 26 and wiper arm assembly 24. The brush 26 is adapted to clean the surface to be cleaned, in this case, a rear window 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wiper system 22 may include other components in addition to the wiper arm arm assembly 24 and the brush 26. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wiper arms 24 and the wiper blades 26 may be employed in others. areas of a vein 10, such as a front windshield (not shown) or a headlamp (not shown) employing a wiper system 22. Therefore, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to use only in relation to cleaning arms 24 adjacent to the rear window of a vehicle, but for use in all applications where brushes are used 26.

The brush 26 has a cleaning element 30 that includes a predetermined length and cross-sectional profile corresponding to a particular application and is typically manufactured by an extrusion process, which allows the profile of length and cross-section of the cleaning element 30 to be easily adjusted without a substantial increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, while the cleaning element 30 is constructed of a flexible cacture, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cleaning element 30 can be constructed of any flexible material, such as silicone or other polymer, and by any manufacturing process, such as injection molding. , without departing from the scope of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the brush 26 can be either a brush of the tournament or tiaz type having any standard construction as is commonly known in the art. Therefore, whether the cleaning brush is a tournament-type brush or tiaz, it will generally distribute the downward pressure from the cleaning arm 24 through the cleaning element 30. In addition, the brush 26 may be longitudinally curved with a predetermined radius of curvature that is equal to or greater than the plane of curvature of the rear window 20, if it were to fold. This predetermined radius of curvature is sometimes referred to in the related art as a "free form" radius of curvature (hereinafter "windshield curvature"). Accordingly, the curvature of the brush 26 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on the force requirements and the contour of the surface to be cleaned. The precurved brush 26, freely and flexibly, is straightened when the cleaning arm 24 applies a force on it to flatten and direct the cleaning element 30 so that it has contact with the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, the brush 26 may include a free-form curvature that ensures the distribution of force in the rear windows or windshields that have several curvatures that effect an appropriate envelope on the surface to be cleaned. The brush 26 may also include an aerofoil to reduce the likelihood that the wind will rise during operative movement through the surface to be cleaned. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the aerofoil is optional, especially when the brush 26 is employed in a rear window.

The wiper arm assembly 24 includes an elongate body 32. The elongated body 32 of the wiper arm 24 is operatively mounted on a pivot shaft 34, which, in turn, is driven by an electric motor either directly or through appropriate links as is commonly known in the art. For this purpose, the arm 24 includes a head, generally indicated at 36, which is supported on the body 32 and adapted to be mounted on the pivot shaft 34 defining a pivot axis P and activating the brush 26 oscillatingly crossing the surface to be cleaned. The head 36 is operatively mounted on the pivot shaft 34 through a threaded nut 35 at the distal end of the pivot shaft or through any suitable fastener known in the related art. In addition, the body 32 includes an opening 38 (Figures 4 and 5) that provides access to the head 36 mounted on the pivot shaft 34. A cover, generally indicated at 40, is mounted on the body 32 in the opening 38 and can be moved about an axis A substantially parallel to the pivot axis P from a first position closing the opening (figure 2) to a second position that allows access to the head 36 (figure 5). Each of these components of the windshield arm assembly 24 will be described in greater detail below.

More specifically, the body 32 of the arm has an upper wall 42 and side walls 44 which depend on the upper wall 42 in order to define a reverse open mouth shape with an interior cavity 46. The head 36 is operatively supported by the body 32 in the interior cavity 46. To this end, the body 32 can include a pair of opposed protrusions 48 formed in the interior cavity 46 facing each other and having a pair of inwardly facing openings 50. The head 36 can employ a pair of bearings 52 which are received cooperatively in the inwardly oriented openings 50, so that the head 36 can pivot with respect to the arm 32 about an axis defined by the bearings 52. A member 54 Deviation, such as a spiral spring, can be operatively connected between the head 36 and the interior cavity 46 of the arm body 32, as is commonly known in the art. The deviation member 54 generates a downward force on the brush 26 while oscillating across the surface to be cleaned.

The openings 50 oriented inwards open in a direction that is below an imaginary horizontal line extending through the center of the bearings 52. The bearings 52 are arranged in sliding engagement with the opposite projections 48. The inwardly and downwardly angled openings 50 of the bearings 48 essentially capture the head 36 during assembly under the force provided by the deviation member 54. At the same time, this interaction allows the rotation of the body 32 of the arm with respect to the head. In addition, the interaction of the protuberances 48 with the bearings 52 functions as a non-bearing joint between the body 32 of the arm and the head 36. In this way, the diverting member 54 retains the body 32 of the arm relative to the head 36. during use without the need for a rivet. The upper wall 42 and the side walls 44 of the arm body 32 essentially envelop the arm / head joint from both sides, as well as from the top. This arrangement offers protection against the accumulation of snow and ice that commonly causes the conventional arms to freeze during winter weather conditions that cause the loss of arm load, resulting in poor cleaning quality. The internal seal formed between the opposing protrusions 48 and the bearings 52 also offers a superior serviceability by allowing the arm body 32 to rotate about the defined axes between the protuberances 48 and the bearings 52 while maintaining excellent lateral strength. In addition, the operative interaction between the head 36 and the body 32 does not require tools or fastening mechanisms and all the components can be assembled by hand. Therefore, the operation of the body 32 of the arm in relation to the head 36 effectively reduces the cost of the union formed between them.

Referring now to Figures 6-7, the cover 40 includes a pivot pin, generally indicated at 56, extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis P defined by the pivot shaft 34. The body 32 includes a retainer, generally indicated at 58, which operatively couples to the pivot pin 56 and retains the pin 56 in a direction parallel to the pivot axis P, but which allows the rotational movement of the pin 56 on the axis A which is parallel to the pivot axis P. Thus, in an operative embodiment, the pivot pin 56 may include a cylindrical shaft 60 and an enlarged end portion 62 that is disposed at the distal end of the shaft 60. The retainer 58 may include a a pair of arcuately extending arms 64 that are arranged around the cylindrical shaft 60 adjacent the enlarged terminal portion 62 to allow the pivot pin 56 to rotate about the axis A which is parallel to the pivot axis P while retaining the pin 56 of the movement in a direction parallel to this axis A. Therefore, with reference to FIGS. 4-7, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cover 40 of the present invention rotates about the axis A and which, unlike the head covers known in the related art, can not be dislodged inadvertently by rotating the cover about an axis that is transverse to the pivot axis P. Also, due to the rotating action of the cover of head 40, can be manufactured with closer tolerances, eliminating spaces that can allow water, snow and ice to enter the opening, thus affecting the performance of the wiper arm.

The cover 40 also defines an arcuate end 66 disposed opposite the pivot pin 56 cooperatively engaging an arcuate surface 68 defined by the upper wall 42 of the body 32 of the arm adjacent the opening 38. These cooperating arcuate ends 66 and the surface 68 facilitate the rotary movement of the cover 40 with respect to the body 32 of the arm, while maintaining close tolerances and prevent water, snow and ice from entering the opening. The cover 40 also includes a locking mechanism, generally indicated at 70, which releasably engages the body 32 when the cover 40 is in the first position closing the opening 38. The locking mechanism 70 includes a flexible arm 72. The body 32 of the arm defines a retainer 74 and the flexible arm 72 is adapted for releasable engagement with the retainer 74 so that it snaps against the body 32.

More specifically, the cover 40 defines a wall 76 and upper walls 78 that depend thereon. The flexible arm 72 has a first portion 80 extending spaced apart and cantilevered from the side wall 78 in a first direction. In addition, the flexible arm 72 includes a second portion 82 that is spaced apart from the first portion 80 that extends in a direction opposite the first portion 80 and ends at a distal end 84 with a shoulder 86 defined spaced from the distal end 84. A hinge portion 88 interconnects the first and second portions 80, 82 so that the second portion 82 flexes upon contact with the retainer 74 to move toward the first portion 80 until the ridge 86 clears the retenta 74 and blocks the cover 40 in the first position closing the opening 38. In one embodiment, the stop 74 may include an opening that is defined in one of the side walls of the body 32 of the arm. The flange 86 formed in the second portion 82 is adapted to be arranged in abutting contact with the interior cavity 46 of the arm 24 when the cover 40 is in the first position. In one embodiment as illustrated in these figures, the retainer 74 formed in the side wall 44 of the wiper arm 24 can be defined by a rectangular opening having a locking flange 90 which engages the second portion 82 of the flexible arm 72. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the catch 74 can take many different structural forms without departing from the scope of the invention.

In addition, the cover 40 may also include a stop member 82 that extends downward from the bottom 94 of the cover 40 in the interior recess 46 of the arm body 32. The stop member 82 is located separate from the locking mechanism 70 and disposed on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the body 32 of the arm. The body 32 of the arm may include an inwardly extending projection 96 that is designed to cooperate with the stop member 82 to limit the rotational movement of the cover 30 when in its closed position. In one embodiment, the stop member 82 may be L-shaped with a first longer portion 98 extending down from the bottom 94 of the cover 40 and a second shorter portion extending toward the interior surface of the cover. side wall 44 of the arm body 32 as to define a cornice 102. The cornice 102 cooperatively receives the projection 96 when the cover 40 is in its closed position.

In its operative mode, and when access to the joint formed between the head 36 and the pivot shaft 34 is desired, the second portion 82 of the flexible arm 72 moves towards the first portion 80 by deflecting the distal end 84 upwards, thus releasing the flange 86 from the interior cavity 46 of the arm body 32 and the cover 40 rotates about the axis A defined by the pin 56 and which is parallel to the axis P defined by the pivot shaft 34, so that the cover 40 it moves from its first closed position (figure 2) to its second open position (figure 5). The wiper arm 24 can be quickly and easily mounted or removed from the pivot shaft 34 through access to this seal through the opening 38. Once the wiper arm 24 has been properly mounted, the cover 40 can rotate about the axis A defined by the pin 56 until the locking mechanism 70 engages the body 32 of the wiper arm again and the cover 40 closes the opening 38.

In this manner, the wiper arm arm assembly 24 of the present invention employs a head cover 40 that provides efficient and effective access to the head 36 and the pivot shaft 34, but which is not susceptible to water intrusion. , snow, or ice and that can not be easily disassembled or removed during the car wash process and other interferences with the windshield wiper arm.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It should be understood that the terminology used has the intention of being in the nature of the words of the description and not of the limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the invention can be practiced differently than specifically described.

Claims (10)

A wiper arm assembly (24) that is adapted to support a wiper blade (26) as it moves through a surface (20) to be cleaned, said wiper arm assembly (24) comprising: - an arm body (32) and a head (36) supported by said arm body (32) and adapted to be mounted on a pivot shaft (34) that defines a pivot shaft (P) and drives the wiper blade (26) in an oscillating manner through the surface (20) to be cleaned, said arm body (32) including an opening (38) providing access to said head (36) mounted on the pivot shaft (34); Y - a cover (40) mounted on said arm body (32) in said opening (38) and movable from a first position closing said opening (38) to a second position that allows access to said head (36), characterized in that said cover (40) is movable about an axis (A) substantially parallel to the pivot axis (P). The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 1, wherein said cover (40) includes a pivot pin (56) extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis (P), said body including (32) ) of arm a retainer (58) operatively coupled to said pivot pin (56) and retains said pin (56) for rotational movement about said axis (A) which is parallel to the pivot axis (P). The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 2, wherein said pivot pin (56) includes a cylindrical shaft (60) and an enlarged terminal portion (62) disposed at a distal end of said shaft ( 60), said retainers (58) including a pair of arms (64) that extend in an arcuate manner and are arranged around said cylindrical shaft (60) adjacent said enlarged terminal portion (62) to allow said pin (56) of pivot rotate about said axis (A) while retaining said pin (56) of the movement in a direction parallel to said axis (A). The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 1, wherein said cover (40) includes a locking mechanism (70) releasably engaging said arm body (32) when said cover ( 40) is in said first position closing said opening (38). The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism (70) includes a flexible arm (72), said arm body (32) defining a retainer, said arm being (72) ) adapted for releasable engagement with said retainer so that it fits under pressure relative to said body (32) of the arm. The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 5, wherein said cover (40) defines an upper wall (76) and side walls (78) depending thereon, said flexible arm (72) having a first portion (80) extending spaced and cantilevered from said lateral wall (78) in a first direction, and a second portion (82) spaced from said first portion (80) extending in a direction opposite said first portion (80) and ends at a distal end, a hinge portion (88) interconnecting said first and second portions (80, 82) such that said second portion (82) flexes upon contacting said retainer to move toward said first portion (80) until said distal end (84) engages said retainer and blocks said cover (40) in said first position by closing said opening (38). The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 6, wherein said arm body (32) has an upper wall (42) and side walls (44) depending on said upper wall (42) to define an end-open U-shape inversely with an interior cavity (46), said retainer including an opening (50) defined in one of said side walls (44), said end (84) being distal of said second portion (82) adapted to be arranged in abutting contact with said interior cavity (46) when said cover (40) is in said first position. The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 1, wherein said arm body (32) has an upper wall (42) and side walls (44) depending on said upper wall (42) to define an inverted open-end U-shape with an interior cavity (46), said head (36) being operatively supported by said arm body (32) in said interior cavity (46). The wiper arm assembly (24) according to claim 8, wherein said assembly (24) further includes a deviation member (54) operatively connected between said head (36) and said interior cavity (46) of said wiper arm. arm body (32) and adapted to generate a downward force on the wiper blade (26) as it oscillates across the surface (20) to be cleaned. 10. A windshield wiper assembly comprising: - a cleaning brush (26) adapted to come into contact with a surface (20) to be cleaned, - a wiper arm arm assembly (24) adapted to support said wiper blade (26) as it travels through the surface (20) to be cleaned, the wiper arm arm assembly (24) being in accordance with one of the preceding claims, and - a coupling assembly (28) operatively interconnecting said wiper blade (26) and said wiper arm assembly (24).